KEY POINT
- Courteney Cox said Hayden Panettiere was fun, happy, smart and a talented actor.
- Cox and Panettiere worked together on “Scream 4” in 2011 and reunited for “Scream VI” in 2023.
- Panettiere’s “Heroes” co-stars recently held a reunion to celebrate her life and lasting impact.
Cox discussed Panettiere’s death while reflecting on their work together in the “Scream” franchise. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Cox said their most recent collaboration was a positive experience and remembered Panettiere fondly.
“She’s a really wonderful actor,” Cox said. She added that Panettiere was “really fun and happy and smart” during their last time working together, while acknowledging the sadness surrounding her death.
The two actors first appeared together in the franchise with 2011’s “Scream 4,” which marked Panettiere’s introduction to the series. Their characters and performances later brought them back together for the 2023 film “Scream VI.”
Heroes Co-Stars Celebrate Her Life
Tributes have also continued among Panettiere’s former “Heroes” castmates. The group recently reunited in an event focused on celebrating her life rather than simply mourning her loss.
Jimmy Jean-Louis, one of Panettiere’s “Heroes” co-stars, shared photographs from the gathering on X. He described the reunion as deeply emotional and said the cast remembered the love, gratitude and warmth connected to their time with Panettiere.
Jack Coleman, who played Panettiere’s father on “Heroes,” also shared a personal tribute on Instagram. Coleman recalled meeting her during the show’s pilot 20 years earlier and described the close relationship they developed over the years.
Panettiere’s Legacy on Heroes
Coleman remembered that Panettiere had introduced herself by calling out “daddy” and embracing him during their first meeting. He said she later called him “daddio” and gave her the affectionate nickname “Haydini,” reflecting the bond they formed while working on the series.
His tribute offered another perspective on Panettiere’s impact away from the “Scream” films, highlighting the personal connections she developed with members of the “Heroes” cast.
Shortly after Panettiere’s death, her father released a statement to ABC describing her as an “incredible light” and a force of nature. He said she brought love and joy to people who knew her personally as well as to millions who watched her work onscreen.
The statement, along with the tributes from Cox, Coleman and Jean-Louis, shows how Panettiere’s passing has prompted reflections from colleagues across different stages of her acting career.
Cox’s comments connect Panettiere’s legacy to one of her best-known film franchises, while the “Heroes” reunion highlights the relationships she built during her television career. Together, the tributes provide a broader picture of how former co-stars have remembered her following her death.
